Kout Food Group
A Kuwaiti food-service and food-production group that operates major international restaurant franchises and local food facilities.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Kout Food Group is a Kuwaiti food-service and food-production company whose principal business has been the development and operation of franchised restaurant networks. The group is best known in Kuwait as a master franchisee for international brands including Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, Applebee's and IHOP. Its activities have also included food production, warehousing, catering-related services and the operation or ownership of proprietary and acquired restaurant concepts. The business began in 1981 as Al-Nowair Foodstuff Company. Its early activities included a restaurant chain in Kaifan, initially called Bugsbunny, together with a Pizza Hut franchise agreement. The restaurant chain was renamed Hungry Bunny in 1984, and the parent company adopted the name Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. in 1985. Hungry Bunny expanded substantially in Kuwait and had reached 35 locations by 1990. In 1997, the group obtained the Burger King franchise for Kuwait and subsequently converted the Hungry Bunny restaurants to Burger King outlets, creating one of the group's most important operating platforms. Kout expanded its brand portfolio during the following decade. It acquired the Kuwaiti Applebee's franchise in 1999, launched the Burj Al-Hamam concept in 2004 and began operating under the Kout Food Group structure after a 2005 corporate reorganization. The group became publicly listed in 2007 and established Fresh Productions in Sabhan, Kuwait, in 2009. A Taco Bell franchise agreement followed in 2010. These moves broadened the company beyond individual restaurant brands into a multi-brand operating and production organization. The group also pursued international expansion. It entered the United Kingdom in 2005 as a Burger King franchisee and later acquired Maison Blanc, developed the Cha Cha Moon concept with Alan Yau, operated other food-service concepts, acquired UK KFC locations and purchased the Little Chef chain in 2013. It also held Costa Coffee franchises. Most of these UK activities were subsequently sold, closed or transferred. The UK exit was completed in 2020 when the remaining Costa Coffee franchises were sold, following earlier disposals of Little Chef operating locations, KFC franchises and Burger King restaurants. Kout has also formerly operated in Iraq, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; its Iraqi Pizza Hut expansion began in 2014. In Kuwait, the group continued investing in infrastructure and franchise development. It opened a 16,000-square-metre warehouse in Sulaibiya in 2021, signed a Subway master franchise agreement for Kuwait in 2022, received BRC Global Standard certification in 2022, and opened Pizza Hut, Burger King and Subway outlets at Kuwait International Airport in 2023. In the same year, it announced an arrangement to incorporate IHOP concessions within Applebee's locations in Kuwait. The group's current identity is therefore primarily that of a Kuwait-focused, multi-brand food-service operator supported by production, distribution and logistics capabilities.
History
Kout Food Group traces its origins to 1981, when it was established as Al-Nowair Foodstuff Company in Kuwait. The early business operated a Kaifan restaurant chain called Bugsbunny and held a franchise agreement with Pizza Hut. In 1984, the restaurant chain was renamed Hungry Bunny. The following year, the parent company changed its name to Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. Hungry Bunny grew across Kuwait and had 35 locations by 1990. A decisive transformation occurred in 1997, when the group acquired the Burger King franchise for Kuwait. Existing Hungry Bunny restaurants were progressively rebranded as Burger King outlets by 1998. The Burger King network later grew to 61 Kuwaiti locations by June 2012. Kout added the Applebee's franchise in 1999 and launched its own Burj Al-Hamam restaurant concept in 2004. In 2005, a corporate restructuring placed Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. under Kout Food Group. Kout became publicly listed in 2007, although it was later delisted or otherwise ceased to be listed in 2016. The group developed supporting food-production and operating capabilities alongside its franchise portfolio. Fresh Productions was established in Sabhan, Kuwait, in 2009. Kout entered into a Taco Bell franchise agreement in 2010. In August 2012, it announced expansion plans for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq. The Iraqi rollout began with a Pizza Hut restaurant in April 2014, followed by two more locations in April and June 2015. Kout also undertook a substantial but ultimately temporary expansion in the United Kingdom. It entered the market in 2005 as a Burger King franchisee. In 2007, it acquired Maison Blanc, including its Park Royal production facility, after the business encountered financial difficulty under its previous ownership. In 2008, Kout and Alan Yau created Cha Cha Moon, a fast-casual Chinese noodle-bar concept in London's Kingly Court. A planned second location at Whiteleys did not develop as intended; Kout instead introduced replacement concepts including Cafe Licious, Chi Wok and Pasta Rossa. It also opened Kitchen Italia locations in Westfield and Covent Garden, but those restaurants closed in 2013 because of weak trading. The UK portfolio expanded again when Kout acquired KFC locations in 2012 and bought the Little Chef restaurant chain in 2013 for £15 million, together with the former Happy Eater and Coffee Tempo! trademarks and Burger King locations attached to some Little Chef sites. Kout also acquired Costa Coffee franchises in 2013 and 2014. The company began withdrawing from the UK in 2016. Maison Blanc later closed, Little Chef operating sites were sold to Euro Garages in 2017, Kout's KFC franchises were sold in 2017, the former Park Royal head office and production facility was sold in 2019, and its remaining Burger King locations were sold in January 2020. The sale of its Costa Coffee franchises in August 2020 completed the UK exit. Kout retained ownership of certain former UK brand trademarks, which were registered in Kuwait. Kuwait remained the group's principal market. In September 2021, Kout opened a 16,000-square-metre warehouse in Sulaibiya. In February 2022, Subway agreed to a Kuwait master franchise agreement with Kout, and in August that year the group received BRC Global Standard certification. In April 2023, Kout opened Pizza Hut, Burger King and Subway outlets at Kuwait International Airport. In May 2023, it announced an agreement to add IHOP concessions to Applebee's locations in Kuwait. These developments reflect a strategy centered on a concentrated Kuwaiti operating platform, international franchise partnerships and integrated food-service infrastructure.
- 2023
Airport outlets and IHOP expansion announced
[1]Kout opens Burger King, Pizza Hut and Subway outlets at Kuwait International Airport and announces IHOP concessions within Applebee's locations.
- 2022
Subway master franchise agreement and BRC certification
[1]Kout secures a Kuwait Subway master franchise agreement and receives BRC Global Standard certification.
- 2021
Sulaibiya warehouse opens
[1]The group opens a 16,000-square-metre warehouse in Sulaibiya, Kuwait.
- 2020
UK market exit is completed
[1]Kout sells its remaining Costa Coffee franchises and leaves the UK operating market.
- 2013
Little Chef is acquired
[1]Kout acquires Little Chef and related trademarks and sites in the United Kingdom.
- 2010
Taco Bell franchise agreement begins
[1]Kout adds Taco Bell to its Kuwait franchise portfolio.
- 2009
Fresh Productions is established
[1]Kout establishes Fresh Productions in Sabhan, Kuwait.
- 2007
Kout becomes publicly listed
[1]The group becomes publicly listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.
- 2005
Kout Food Group structure is created
[1]A corporate restructuring makes Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. a subsidiary of Kout Food Group.
- 1999
Applebee's franchise acquired in Kuwait
[1]The group adds Applebee's to its Kuwaiti restaurant portfolio.
Products and positioning
A multi-brand franchise operator and food-service platform serving the Kuwaiti market, with capabilities spanning restaurant operations, production, distribution and logistics.
Quick-service restaurant franchise · 1997
Burger King
Burger King has been one of Kout's core Kuwait franchise businesses since 1997. The group converted its former Hungry Bunny locations to Burger King restaurants and expanded the network substantially. Kout also operated Burger King locations in the United Kingdom before selling them during its UK withdrawal.
Quick-service restaurant franchise · 1981
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut was among the group's earliest franchise relationships and remains part of its Kuwait-focused restaurant portfolio. Kout later used the brand in its international expansion, including the opening of Pizza Hut restaurants in Iraq. In 2023, the group opened a Pizza Hut outlet at Kuwait International Airport.
Quick-service restaurant franchise · 2022
Subway
Subway became part of Kout's Kuwait franchise platform through a master franchise agreement announced in 2022. The group subsequently expanded the brand's presence, including an outlet at Kuwait International Airport.
Quick-service restaurant franchise · 2010
Taco Bell
Kout entered a Taco Bell franchise agreement in 2010, adding a Mexican-inspired quick-service concept to its Kuwait brand portfolio.
Casual dining franchise · 1999
Applebee's
Kout acquired the Applebee's Kuwait franchise in 1999. The brand forms part of the group's casual-dining operations and was later used as the planned host format for IHOP concessions in Kuwait.
Casual dining franchise · 2023
IHOP
In 2023, Kout announced an agreement to incorporate IHOP concessions into Applebee's locations in Kuwait. The arrangement represents a format-based expansion rather than a separately described standalone network.
Food production · 2009
Fresh Productions
Fresh Productions was established by Kout in Sabhan, Kuwait, in 2009. It forms part of the group's production and supply infrastructure supporting its food-service activities.
Restaurant concept · 2004
Burj Al-Hamam
Burj Al-Hamam was a proprietary restaurant chain launched by Kout in 2004, adding a locally developed concept alongside the group's international franchise brands.
Brand decisions
2022
Secure Subway master franchise rights for KuwaitStrategyBackground
Kout continued strengthening its Kuwait-centered portfolio with additional international restaurant brands.
Action taken
Subway agreed to a master franchise arrangement with Kout covering Kuwait.
Aftermath
Subway became part of Kout's Kuwait development platform and was subsequently represented at Kuwait International Airport.
2020
Complete withdrawal from the United KingdomStrategyBackground
Kout had progressively reduced its UK portfolio through closures and disposals of restaurant and production operations.
Action taken
The group sold its remaining Costa Coffee franchises in August 2020 after earlier selling or exiting its UK Burger King, KFC, Little Chef and Maison Blanc-related operations.
Aftermath
Kout's operating focus returned to Kuwait and its other food-service activities; some former UK trademarks remained registered in Kuwait.
2013
Acquire Little Chef in the United KingdomM&ABackground
Kout pursued a broader UK food-service platform and was reported to be the only bidder seeking to retain the Little Chef brand.
Action taken
Kout acquired Little Chef, together with the former Happy Eater and Coffee Tempo! trademarks and associated Burger King locations.
Aftermath
The operating sites were later sold to Euro Garages in 2017, while Kout retained ownership of the Little Chef brand.
Acquisition price. £15 million (2013)
2005
Reorganize the corporate structure under Kout Food GroupStrategyBackground
The expanding franchise and food-service activities required a consolidated group structure.
Action taken
Al-Homaizi Foodstuff Co. became a subsidiary of Kout Food Group through a corporate restructuring.
Aftermath
Kout became the principal group identity for the company's multi-brand operations.
1997
Acquire and scale the Burger King Kuwait franchiseStrategyBackground
Kout sought to build a larger, internationally recognizable restaurant platform in Kuwait.
Action taken
The group acquired the Burger King franchise for Kuwait and subsequently rebranded its Hungry Bunny restaurants as Burger King outlets.
Aftermath
Burger King became a central part of Kout's Kuwaiti operating portfolio and reached 61 locations by June 2012.
Recent events
- 2023
Kout opens Pizza Hut, Burger King and Subway outlets at Kuwait International Airport[1]
Product launch
The group expanded its airport presence by opening outlets for three of its international franchise brands at Kuwait International Airport.
- 2023
IHOP concessions planned for Applebee's locations in Kuwait[1]
Product launch
Kout announced an agreement to incorporate IHOP concessions within its Applebee's locations in Kuwait.
- 2022
Subway signs a Kuwait master franchise agreement with Kout[1]
M&A
Subway agreed to a master franchise arrangement with Kout Food Group covering Kuwait.
- 2022
Kout receives BRC Global Standard certification[1]
Regulation
The group's operations received BRC Global Standard certification, indicating a formal food-safety and quality-management milestone.
- 2021
Kout opens a new warehouse in Sulaibiya[1]
Other
The group opened a 16,000-square-metre warehouse in Sulaibiya, Kuwait, strengthening its storage and distribution infrastructure.
- 2014
Kout opens its first Pizza Hut restaurant in Iraq[1]
Product launch
The group opened its first Iraqi Pizza Hut location, followed by additional Iraqi restaurants in 2015.
- 2012
Kout Food Group expands into the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq[1]
Other
The group announced plans to expand its food-service operations beyond Kuwait into the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq.
Sources1 sources
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